Positive Thinking Enhances Immune Response to Vaccination 0 8

In the study, healthy volunteers underwent four sessions of neurotraining. Using mental techniques, they learned to activate specific areas of the brain while observing the results in real-time. After that, participants were administered the hepatitis B vaccine, and their antibody levels were checked two and four weeks later.

The greatest immune response was demonstrated by those who managed to increase the activity of the ventral tegmental area — a part of the brain's reward system. This was most effectively achieved through the formation of positive expectations or the visualization of pleasant events. Although the results indicate the potential of mental strategies in supporting immunity, they do not imply that positive thoughts can independently cure diseases.

The researchers emphasize that the proposed method is merely an additional tool and does not replace vaccination or standard treatment. More extensive trials are needed to confirm the clinical significance, during which researchers will also examine the approach's impact on other components of the immune system.